Rheumatoid Arthritis Support
There are many components to the care of a patient with rheumatoid
arthritis (RA). Of course the first step is in getting an accurate
diagnosis, but once that is made, a patient with RA needs many
things. They will require testing to monitor the disease and its
effects with imaging and blood work, a regimen of medications to
control the disease, a healthy diet, and special exercises and
physical therapy. They may also use alternative treatments to
control or enhance control of the RA.
But there is another aspect of the total care of the patient who has rheumatoid arthritis, and that is support. This support needs to include others who are impacted by the illness as well as the patient since this is a chronic illness and whole families and even friends are affected. Co-workers may need information to understand how ill a person may be while looking fairly normal. RA can impact every aspect of life, and good support is just as important as medical treatments.
One form of support may be psychological or psychiatric help in dealing with depression and/or anxiety caused by the diagnosis and by the physical effects. Depression is common and should be treated as aggressively as the RA is treated since it is also serious. Learning coping skills is important for everyone with an RA diagnosis whether depressed or not. There is a lot of adjustment in lifestyle with RA treatment and dealing with it can be difficult without professional help.
Of course, a primary line of support is the family and close friends. The patient should remember that they have stresses and problems as a result of the RA as well and should try to give support as well as to receive it. Those who have strong family relationships tend to do better with any illness and RA is certainly not an exception.
Another support component is education. Patients with RA must educate themselves and others about the nature of the illness and the treatments needed to deal with the illness. Fortunately there is a great deal of information on RA in fact sheets and online tutorials about the course and treatment of RA. Your doctor may also provide or recommend helpful publications. The Arthritis Foundation puts out a monthly magazine called “Arthritis Today” that is also very helpful and there are many free e-mail newsletters.
The internet is also a great link to support from online forums and chat rooms as well as for locating local RA support groups. While live interaction with others is wonderful, many appreciate internet support groups that can be accessed even when you don’t feel up to going out even for support. These forums and chats offer information about RA issues but also provide a place to talk with peers, those who also have RA or who have a loved one who must deal with the disease.
Most patients will seek support from more than one
of these methods, perhaps from all of them, but what is important is
recognizing the need for support and getting it. Life with RA can be
good and fulfilling and treatment can be very successful, so it is
nice to know that the patient does not need to go it alone. Support
is out there and only requires asking for it.
Resources
Locate local RA support groups and use message boards:
www.arthritissupport.com/
RA Information, Service and Education website:
www.risesupport.com/
Online and live support options:
www.healthcentral.com/
Information and support for RA patients:
arthritisinsight.com/
Home of the Arthritis Foundation:
www.arthritissupport.com/